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Manipur Batter Given Out for Rare 'Hit the Ball Twice' in Ranji Trophy

The call has drawn criticism over whether his second strike qualified as a legal attempt to protect the stumps.

Overview

  • The Plate League match in Surat saw Lamabam Ajay Singh defend Aryan Bora before the ball rolled toward his stumps, prompting him to block it again with his bat.
  • After Meghalaya appealed, umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj ruled him out for 'hit the ball twice,' and the batter left without contest.
  • MCC Law 34.1.1 allows a second strike only to protect the wicket, creating dispute over whether Singh’s action fit the exception.
  • The mode of dismissal is exceptionally rare in Ranji history, recorded only five times and not since Dhruv Mahajan in 2005–06.
  • Manipur’s lower order folded with Singh out for a 20-ball duck as Meghalaya gained an 88-run first-innings lead, while the decision remains on record and drew criticism from Ravichandran Ashwin.